1. DC-3 Review
Specifications,
Operations,
and
Limitations

2. What is the Wing Span of the DC-3?
95’ 0”

3. What is the Length of the DC-3?
64’ 5.5”

4. What is the Vertical Clearance of the tail in a Level Flight Attitude for the DC-3?
23’ 6”

5. What are the Vertical Clearances for the Tail and Fuselage in a 3-Point Attitude for the DC-3?
16’ 11”
14’ 11.5”

6. What are the Vertical Clearances for the propeller on the DC-3?
11’ 6”
prop diameter
12’ 4”
vertical
16” prop tip

7. What is the Vertical Clearance for the Wingtip of the DC-3?
9’ 4”

8. What is the Width of the Landing Gear for the DC-3?
18’ 6”

9. In a DC-3, if a wingtip has room for a turn, will the tail be clear?
YES — but the reverse is not true!

10. What are the Maximum Takeoff and Landing Weights for the DC-3?
25,200 lbs - Maximum Takeoff Weight
25,200 lbs - Maximum Landing Weight

11. What is the VMC airspeed in the DC-3 and what is the definition of VMC ?
VMC = 76 kias
VMC is “Minimum Controllable Airspeed with the critical engine (left) inoperative”

12. List all the Conditions for defining VMC on the DC-3
1. Critical Engine (Left) Inoperative
2. Inoperative Engine Propeller Windmilling
3. Maximum Bank of 5º into the inoperative engine
4. TAKEOFF Power applied on the operative engine
5. Maximum Aft CG - most unfavorable condition
6. Elevator Trim set for Takeoff
Listing continued on next slide

13. List all the Conditions for defining VMC on the DC-3
Listing continued from previous slide
7. Maximum Gross Weight
8. Landing Gear Retracted
9. Flaps in the TAKEOFF Position
10. Sea Level

14. How does the VMC airspeed in the DC-3 change at higher elevations?
VMC will DECREASE as elevation increases due to reduced thrust at higher altitudes

15. What is the definition of TAKEOFF DISTANCE?
Takeoff Distance is the GREATER of:
1. The Accelerate/Stop Distance OR
2. The Accelerate/Go Distance - to clear a 35’ obstacle with a failed engine at V1

16. What is the V1 airspeed in the DC-3 and what is the definition of V1 ?
V1 = 84 kias
V1 is “Decision Speed” - It is the Airspeed at which a reject action must have been initiated

17. What is the V2 airspeed in the DC-3 and what is the definition of V2 ?
V2 = 84 kias
V2 is “Takeoff Safety Airspeed” - It is the airspeed at which an engine can fail and the aircraft will continue to climb and clear all obstacles within the departure path

18. What are the best ANGLE of Climb Speeds for the DC-3?
Vx - 84 kias
(TWO Engine Best Angle of Climb Speed)
VXSE - 84 kias
(ONE Engine Best Angle of Climb Speed)

19. What are the best RATE of Climb Speeds for the DC-3?
VY - 91 kias
(TWO Engine Best Rate of Climb Speed)
VYSE - 95 kias
(ONE Engine Best Rate of Climb Speed)

20. What are the Normal and Single Engine Climb Speeds for the DC-3?
Normal Climb kias
Single Engine Climb kias

21. What are the Landing Gear Operating Limitations on the DC-3?
VLO kias
(Maximum speed for Retracting the Landing Gear)
VLE kias
(Maximum speed for Landing Gear Extended)
VLO kias
(Maximum speed for Extending the Landing Gear)

22. What are the VA, VNO and VNE Speeds for the DC-3?
VA kias (Maneuvering Speed)
VNO kias (Normal Operating Speed)
VNE kias (Never Exceed Speed)

23. What are the Altitude Ceiling Limitations of the DC-3?
Absolute Ceiling
- 26,500 ft - two engines
- 12,500 ft - one engine
Service Ceiling
- 24,800 ft - two engines
- 10,800 ft - one engine

24. What is the max Endurance Speed for the DC-3?
85 kias at 25,200 lbs
80 kias at 22,000 lbs

25. What are the Wing Flaps Operating Limitations on the DC-3?
VFE 1/ kias
(Maximum speed for 1/4 Flaps (11.5°) Extended)
VFE 1/2 & 3/ kias
(Maximum speed for 1/2 & 3/4 (20°- 35°) Flaps Extended)
VFE - 97 kias
(Maximum speed for FULL Flaps (45°) Extended)

26. What are the minimum Vref airspeeds in the DC-3?
Boundary Airspeed at Landing Weight
80 kias at 25,200 lbs
78 kias at 24,000 lbs
76 kias at 23,000 lbs
75 kias at 22,000 lbs.

27. (Normal ‘Over the Fence’ Speed) (Short Field ‘Over the Fence’ Speed)
What are the Over The Fence Approach Speeds for a Normal and Short Field Landing in the DC-3?
VFOF - 84 kias
(Normal ‘Over the Fence’ Speed)
VSO kias
(Short Field ‘Over the Fence’ Speed)

28. What are the REJECTED LANDING Speeds for the DC-3?
VGA - 94 kias
(TWO Engine Go Around Speed)
VGASE - 84 kias
(ONE Engine Go Around Speed)

29. What are the STALL Speeds for the DC-3?
VS kias
(Stall Speed w/ gear & flaps up)
VSO - 64 kias
(Stall Speed w/ gear & flaps down)

30. VXWIND - 13 kias VTWIND - 9 kias
What are the Maximum Demonstrated Crosswind and Tailwind Speeds for the DC-3?
VXWIND - 13 kias
(Maximum Crosswind)
VTWIND - 9 kias
(Maximum Tailwind)

31. DC-3 Review
ENGINE

32. What are the specifications for the engines used on the DC-3?
Pratt & Whitney Twin Row Radial Engine
14 Cylinders with a total displacement of 1830 cubic inches
1200 horsepower at 48” 2700 RPM

33. What are the various Power Settings for the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
48” / 2700 rpm - Maximum power for 1 minute
42” / 2700 rpm - RTTO Reduced Thrust Takeoff
42” / 2550 rpm - METO Maximum Except Takeoff also is Maximum Continuous Power
36” / 2350 rpm - Climb Power
30” / 2050 rpm - 2nd Reduction
25” / 2050 rpm - On vectors for an approach and the downwind power setting

34. Procedure continued on next slide
What is the Engine Run-up Procedure for the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
1. Throttles - advance both to 1700 RPM
2. Props - Cycle both twice
3. Prop Feather Check - Left then Right
Push feather button in
Check for Amperage draw
Check for RPM drop
Pull feather button out
4. Props - Cycle again
5. Throttles - reduce to 1000 RPM
Procedure continued on next slide

35. What is the Engine Run-up Procedure for the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
Procedure continued from previous slide
6. Magneto & Power - LEFT & RIGHT engines
Throttle - advance to field ambient baro pressure (maximum 30” MP allowable)
Magentos - checked for 50 RPM MAX Drop
RPM’s - checked for 2300 RPM at ambient baro
7. Throttles - return to idle

36. Ambient Manifold Pressure
At what Manifold Pressure and RPM should the power check be conducted on P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
Ambient Manifold Pressure
2300 RPM

37. What is the Maximum Magneto Drop allowable during the engine run-up of the P&W engine on the DC-3?
100 RPM

38. Which Magneto fires which Spark Plugs on the P&W 1830 engine?
The LEFT Magneto fires the REAR spark plugs
The RIGHT Magneto fires the FRONT spark plugs

39. What is the Maximum RPM permitted while operating the P&W 1830 engine in ‘Auto Lean’ on the DC-3?

40. What are the Engine Vibration Ranges that must be avoided while operating the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
Between rpm
and
Between rpm

41. What is the Starter Duty Cycle for the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
1 minute on / 1 minute off
1 minute on / 5 minutes off

42. 2. Increase Mixture to Auto Rich
What actions can be taken to reduce high CHT - Cylinder Head Temperatures on P&W 1830 engine?
1. Open the Cowl Flaps
2. Increase Mixture to Auto Rich
3. Increase Airspeed
4. Reduce Power

43. What the 5 Cowl Flap positions for the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
1. Close
2. Off
3. Trail
4. Off
5. Open

44. What does the Firewall Shutoff Value do on the DC-3?
Shuts off the OIL to the engine
Shuts off the HYDRAULICS to the engine

45. Oil Pressure is below 10 psi
What does a Low Oil Pressure Annunciator (orange) light indicate on the DC-3?
Oil Pressure is below 10 psi

46. What is a Hydraulic Lock condition and how do you resolve it?
Trapped oil in a cylinder prevents piston movement causing a hydraulic lock condition
It is necessary to remove the spark plug and drain the oil from the cylinder to remove the hydraulic lock condition

47. NOTE: 15 blades will ensure a full oiling of all the cylinders
How many blades must be counted to check for a hydraulic lock condition on the DC-3?
4 blades
NOTE: 15 blades will ensure a full oiling of all the cylinders

48. DC-3 Review
PROP

49. The engine RPM will go to 2050 RPM
What happens if the Prop Governor Speeder Spring breaks while operating the P&W 1830 engine on the DC-3?
The engine RPM will go to 2050 RPM

50. What Feathering System Pressure is required to operate the circuit to RELEASE the propeller feathering solenoid?
460 psi

51. Pull the Feathering Button back out
What action should be taken if the propeller HAS NOT feathered within 60 seconds of holding the propeller feathering button it?
Pull the Feathering Button back out

52. 2.8 gals reserved in the bottom of the oil tank in each engine
Where does the oil come from that is used by the Propeller Feathering Pump?
2.8 gals reserved in the bottom of the oil tank in each engine

53. Until the engine RPM reaches 800 RPM
To UNFEATHER the prop on the DC-3, how long should the feather button be held in?
Until the engine RPM reaches 800 RPM

54. Turn OFF both Generators and the Battery Switch
What action should be taken to disengage the Propeller Feathering Pump should the feathering pump continue to run?
Turn OFF both Generators and the Battery Switch

55. DC-3 Review
ELECTRIC

56. What type of Battery Power does the DC-3 aircraft have?
Two 14 volt - 88 amp/hr batteries
connected in series to provide 28 volts of power

57. What is the Minimum Battery Voltage required for a Battery Start on the DC-3?
25 Volts DC

58. What size are the Electrical Generators on the DC-3?
N143D has 75 amp generators
Some DC-3’s have up to 200 amp generators

59. What are the Electrical System Limitations on the DC-3?
Generator Voltage ±0.1 amps
Parallel Generator Differential - 20 amps max
Maximum Continuous Amperage - 75 amps

60. How many DC Electrical bus’s are there on the DC-3?
There are 2 DC Electrical bus’s:
Main or Ship’s Bus
Radio Bus

61. What is the purpose of the Generator Flashing Switch on the DC-3?
The Generator Flashing Switch can be used when there is no generator voltage indicated and is located on the C/B panel.
CAUTION — DO NOT actuate the Generator Flashing Switch if any generator voltage is indicated !

62. What powers the AC Electrical System on the DC-3?
One 115v 400hz Inverter
for radios only
(deactivated on some DC-3s)

63. DC-3 Review
HYDRAULICS

64. How many Hydraulic Devices are there on the DC-3?
FIVE:
1. Landing Gear
2. Brakes
3. Wing Flaps
4. Cowl Flaps
5. Windshield Wipers

65. What is the Type of Hydraulic Fluid that is used in the DC-3?
Mil Spec (red)

66. What is the Hydraulic System Capacity on the DC-3?
28 quarts total
13 quarts TANK capacity
3 quarts RESERVE capacity

67. What is the quantity of Hydraulic Fluid that is available at the STANDPIPE?
3 quarts

68. What is the NORMAL Hydraulic System Pressure on the DC-3?
950 psi
± 50 psi

69. What is the Hydraulic System RELIEF valve Pressure set at?
1100 psi

70. What is the Hydraulic System Accumulator Pressure and what is it charged with?
250 psi
Dry Nitrogen

71. What is the MINIMUM Hydraulic System Pressure for Brake effectiveness?
500 psi

72. 3. Vibration felt on the Landing Gear Handle as the gear locks down
What are the three (3) ways to check that the Landing Gear is DOWN on the DC-3?
1. Landing Gear Down Light - green
2. Latch Lever snaps into place
3. Vibration felt on the Landing Gear Handle as the gear locks down

73. What three (3) things hold the Landing Gear DOWN on the DC-3?
1. Trapped Hydraulic Pressure
2. Over-center of the strut
3. Mechanical Down Lock Spades

74. What are the three (3) switches that control the Landing Gear Down & Locked Light on the DC-3?
1. Left Landing Gear Down & Locked Micro-switch
2. Right Landing Gear Down & Locked Micro-switch
3. Landing Gear Handle Neutral Micro-switch

75. What are the two ways the Landing Gear Latch can be out of sequence?
1. Handle UP & Locked - Latch moved out of the spring-lock position
2. Handle DOWN & Landing Gear Unlocked with the Latch engaged too soon

76. 1. Momentarily RAISE the Landing Gear
What actions can be taken to resolve the situation when the Landing Gear Latch is out of sequence?
1. Momentarily RAISE the Landing Gear OR
2. Pull the Dog Spring

77. Is it possible to have a Landing Gear Green Light with Zero Landing Gear Pressure?
YES
The Landing Gear Green Light is strictly a function of the micro-switches

78. Can the Landing Gear be extended if the Hydraulic Pressure is LOST (Zero)?
YES
The Landing Gear will free fall and lock into place under normal air loads

79. The pressure should be the same as the System Pressure
What pressure should the Landing Gear System indicate after the landing gear is extended?
The pressure should be the same as the System Pressure

80. What holds the Landing Gear in the UP position?
Positive (trapped) Hydraulic Pressure in the Landing Gear Up Line

81. What Manifold Pressure will trigger the Landing Gear Warning Horn?
17” MP or less, if the Landing Gear is NOT DOWN and LOCKED
(the Landing Gear UNSAFE Light (orange) will be illuminated)

82. What is the proper position for the Landing Gear Handle and the Flap Handle for extended parking? Why?
Landing Gear Handle DOWN
Flap Handle UP
Provides relief for thermal expansion of the hydraulic fluid

83. What holds the FLAPS in ANY selected position on the DC-3?
Trapped Hydraulic Fluid

84. DC-3 Review
FUEL

85. What type of Fuel Pumps are there on the DC-3?
Each engine has one:
Primary Engine-Driven fuel pump
Auxiliary Electric fuel boost pump

86. What are the Fuel Type Specifications for the DC-3?
100 Octane Fuel
100 LL (blue)
100 Avgas (green)
NOTE: Minimum 91 Octane is permitted

87. 4 tanks with a total of 822 gals
How many Fuel Tanks are there and what are their Capacities on the DC-3?
4 tanks with a total of 822 gals
2 MAIN Tanks gals each
2 AUX Tanks gals each

88. How much UNUSEABLE Fuel is there on the DC-3?
Total UNUSABLE fuel is 20 gallons
5 gallons of UNUSABLE fuel per tank

89. How is the fuel selected on the DC-3?
The fuel selector valve has 5 positions:
each engine can be connected to either main tank (2)
each engine can be connected to either aux tank (2)
placed in the off position (1)

90. How many Fuel Drains are there on the DC-3?
There are SIX fuel drains:
1 for each fuel tank located under the wing (4)
1 for each carburetor located in the wheel well (2)

91. What is the Minimum Fuel for Takeoff on the DC-3?
130 gallons
CAUTION — DO NOT operate both engines from any tank that contains less than 50 gallons!
NOTE - Normal taxi and run-up fuel is approximately 10 gallons

92. Fuel Pressure is below 10 psi
What does a Low Fuel Pressure Annunciator (orange) Light indicate on the DC-3?
Fuel Pressure is below 10 psi

93. Where is the Fuel Vapor returned to and what is its maximum rate of return on the DC-3?
Only to the main tanks
As much as 5 gals per hour per engine for a total of up to 10 gals per hour

94. DC-3 Review
DE-ICE

95. Describe a NORMAL De-Ice System Cycle
A normal de-ice cycle takes 40 secs.
A distributor valve provides air-pressure to the five sets of de-ice boots in second intervals

96. What is the normal range of pneumatic air pressure to operate the de-icing system?
7 - 9 psi

97. What does a Low Vacuum Annunciator (blue) light indicate on the DC-3?
Vacuum Pressure is below 10 psi

98. How long does a full tank of de-ice alcohol last?
45 minutes
System uses oz per minute under normal icing conditions

99. DC-3 Review EMERGENCY FIRE
AND
FIRE

100. How many Annunciator Lights are there on the DC-3?
2 each for:
Low Oil Pressure
Low Oil Quantity
Low Vacuum Pressure
Low Fuel Pressure
Engine Fire Loop
1 each for:
Landing Gear Safe
Landing Gear Unsafe
Cargo Door Closed
Cabin Heater Fire

101. What are the Engine Failure memory items on the DC-3?
1. Mixtures - Auto Rich
2. Props - Full Forward
3. Throttles - 48” MP
4. Call Out - GEAR UP, FLAPS UP
5. Affected Engine - Identify, Verify & FEATHER
6. Mixture Control affected engine - Idle Cut Off
7. Check for Engine FIRE
8. Checklist for Engine Failure

102. BOTH Fire Warning Lights illuminate within 5 seconds or less
What is considered an acceptable test of the Engine Fire Detection System on the P&W 1830 engine?
BOTH Fire Warning Lights illuminate within 5 seconds or less

103. Zone 2 - Accessory Section
What ZONE does the Engine Fire Bottle discharge into on the P&W 1830 engine?
Zone 2 - Accessory Section

104. What is the Engine Fire (airborne) procedure on the DC-3
What is the Engine Fire (airborne) procedure on the DC-3? (after Engine Failure Procedure is complete)
1. Cowl Flaps - Closed
2. Firewall Shutoff (affected engine) - Off
3. Engine Fire Bottle (affected engine) - Selected
4. Fire Bottle ‘T’ Handle - PULL

105. DC-3 Review
FLIGHT
CONTROLS

106. How long is each Aileron?
24 feet

107. The Aileron Trim Tab is located on which wing of the DC-3?
The RIGHT Wing